Environmental and socio–economic impacts analysis of rainwater harvesting in Rwanda. A case of Kagarama Sector, Kicukiro District

Learning to manage rain water means succeeding in mastering not only water scarcity but also excess and supplying water for agriculture, hygiene thus maintaining the quality of environment and improving socio-economic conditions. However, even if Kagarama sector located in Kicukiro districts in Rwanda has two rainfall seasons which serves as the ample water resources. Kagarama sector is still affected by low per capita water availability in summer days and water excess in rain season both leading to problems related to socio-economic activities and environment. Therefore, the present study was intended to evaluate the environmental and socio-economic impacts of rain water harvesting in Kagarama sector during the year of 2017. To achieve that objective, I used a quantitative research design with a descriptive correlation study and cross tabulation method to investigate associations between variables. Using Yamane formula at 90% of confidence interval, a sample of 96 households in Kagarama sector was taken and using a simple random method, 2 villages represented by 16 households each were selected within 3 cells of Kagarama sector. A questionnaire was used as a data collection instrument. After data collection, SPSS 16th edition was used as a statistical tool to analyze variables. The study found that there is a positive impact on environment and socio-economic life. But some respondents agreed that rain water may also be a source of major disease namely intestinal parasites to those who used rain water as drinkable water and rain water harvesting (RWH) can also be a source of vectors like malaria or death for those who used or neighboring dams or pits. Finally, RWH can be used to resolve problems related to water scarcity thus improving socio-economic life and protect the environment.